System and method for improved computer-based training

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a computer-based training system (CBT) having one or more Application Translation Units (ATUs), a message engine, and a script engine. For one or more target applications of interest, an ATU is provided for processing events specific to that application, thereby trapping events and translating them into abstract messages or &#34;meta-messages&#34; for conveying information about a particular event to the system. A general operating system ATU is also provided for trapping general system events. Translated event messages are processed by event handlers. System or application-specific messages which are not of interest are simply allowed to pass through. The individual handlers dispatch their respective messages to the script engine, which includes instructions for directing the activity of the target application(s). The script engine, in turn, acts upon an incoming message. The dispatched message triggers appropriate action (as specified by instructions within the script).

This is a Divisional patent application of Application Ser. No. 07/970,724, filed Nov. 2, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,940.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to system and methods for assisting a user of a computer. More particularly, the present invention relates to help and computer-based training (CBT) systems which assist a user of a computer in the performance of a desired task.

With the advent of the personal computer, the use of computer systems is becoming increasingly prevalent in everyday life. Running software applications such as word processors and spreadsheets, for example, most workers can realize substantial productivity gains. In fact, most businesses today rely heavily on their computers for day-to-day operations.

The typical user of a computer today has little or no training in the computer sciences or even in the basic use of a personal computer. In order to operate a computer effectively, however, he or she must overcome a steep learning curve, one requiring mastery of a number of commands and data formats. One approach to this problem is to spend hours laboring over often-cryptic user manuals--an unattractive option at best. Instead, most users usually abandon printed manuals in favor of trial-and-error learning.

Some of the better manuals also include a written tutorial. This may be augmented by live or video-taped lectures. The approach is still time consuming, however; many users are simply unable to find sufficient time to complete the tutorials. Moreover, the approach tends to be boring and inefficient, with many users wasting time studying features which they will not use. And there is only so much one can learn from screenshots appearing in a book.

With advances in computer and software technology, application software has not necessarily become easier to use either. Instead, technological advances have been largely employed to build more complex functions into existing applications, often resulting in a complicated user interface, such as a staggering array of icons, which leave the user even more bewildered. Thus, while computer applications have continued to increase in functionality, they have also greatly increased in complexity for the user.

The advent of computer-aided help systems perhaps represents the first successful effort to reduce the complexity of computers. Employing some type of "help" facility, these system provide on-line assistance to computer users. In response to a request by a user (e.g., "F1" or help key), such systems display textual help information on the display screen of the computer. Early help systems simply displayed the same (static) information, regardless of the context or circumstances surrounding the request for help. Later, help systems were refined to provide "context-sensitive help," that is, help information which takes into account what particular part or context of an application program the user is in (currently executing). In turn, help information relevant to this current context or user location is then displayed.

Later in the development of help systems artificial intelligence techniques were applied. U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,498, for example, describes an intelligent help system which includes a monitoring device for determining which events (both of the user and of the computer) to store as data in an historical queue. These data are, in turn, stored in a knowledge base. An inference engine tests pre-defined rules against the knowledge base data, thereby providing help appropriate for that particular user.

While undoubtedly an improvement over simple or even context-sensitive help systems, an intelligent help system in the end only can only provide help information to the user. Whether through words or through pictures, these systems only tell a user how to perform a particular type of task. Users certainly appreciate help information specific for the task at hand, but in practice the help information provided does not always convey information sufficient for the user. In essence, there is a limit to just how much information can be provided. And in those systems which provide very specific help information, entailing screen upon screen of detailed textual or graphic explanations, there is a limit to just how much information a user can or will read. Most users simply do not want to read detailed help information, even if provided on-line. Thus, no matter how intelligent or refined a help system is, it ultimately must resort to telling the user how to perform a given task. What the user really wants is for someone to show him or her how to perform the task at hand.

Another approach to assisting the user of a computer is an interactive software training system, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,013. That system includes a "tutor module" which interrupts the flow of data from the keyboard, interprets and manipulates the input data, selectively generates messages in response to the input data, and selectively allows a subset of the input data to be processed by the target computer program. A separate courseware module is offered for each selected or target computer program. Each courseware module includes a set of events or contextual circumstances relevant to the operation of the selected computer program.

With the advent of multimedia, particularly CD-ROM technology, sophisticated courseware tutorials are now possible. Employing sound and animation, for example, multimedia courseware can provide a "how-to" video, full-motion video available on-line at the press of a key. And as multimedia hardware costs drop, it is now feasible to built courseware into the applications themselves.

Courseware, especially multimedia courseware, offers several advantages over traditional help systems. For instance, one may design courseware which is responsive to unique user inputs, with each courseware module tailored to a specific target program. Courseware is also entirely self-paced, allowing novice users to learn applications at their convenience and at their own speed. Moreover, because these programs are typically interactive, users are less likely to daydream or be otherwise distracted.

Courseware systems are not without their shortcomings, however. In particular, these systems fail to take into consideration the unique "behavior" of the target application which is occurring at the same time. While the approach provides a module for trapping and acting upon selected user events, there is no true bi-directional communication between the tutor module and the user, on the one hand, and between the tutor module and the application on the other. As such, the system lacks the ability to modify and act on the target application in response to target application events themselves, not just user events.

Smart macros, such as Microsoft's "wizards", are another approach to computer-based tutorials. Wizards basically provide macros for completing standard tasks. In operation, a wizard suspends the task at hand and presents the user with a series of questions, typically presented through one or more modal dialog boxes. The wizard then executes or "plays" the macro using the responses as user input. Unless the user slows down the speed at which the macro is played (through a user-settable option), however, macro execution usually occurs too quickly for most users to observe (i.e., as a meaningful tutorial).

Unlike courseware, wizards operate on top of target applications, that is, preserving the look of "live" applications. This in situ approach is effective at demonstrating a particular type of task, such as creating a graph in a spreadsheet, while the user is within a target application. Wizard macros force a context switch, however. By suspending the target application while displaying dialog boxes, wizards do not provide a truly interactive tutorial--one having interaction between the user and the actual target application. Instead, wizards are limited to playing predefined macros for completing "canned" or pre-fabricated application tasks. Thus, although wizards offer some of the "look" of an application, they lack the true "feel" of the target application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention recognizes a need for a truly interactive help and tutorial system--one in which the user continues to interact with a target application while learning the task at hand. The present invention includes a computer-based training system (CBT) having one or more Application Translation Units (ATUs), a message engine, and a script engine.

Specific operation of the system is directed by a series of user instructions, typically provided by a tutorial writer. Within the script, links are established between the CBT system and one or more target applications of interest. Specifically, within a particular application links are established with individual controls (e.g., menu items, button controls, dialog boxes, and the like) so that the script writer has complete control over the behavior and actions of the target application.

For each target application of interest, an ATU is provided for processing events specific to that application. A general operating system (OS) ATU is also provided for trapping general system events. The ATUs function to trap events and translate them into abstract messages or "meta-messages" for conveying information about a particular event to the system. In this manner, low-level messages are abstracted into high-level, more meaningful messages which may be acted upon through the script.

Translated event messages are forwarded to the message engine for matching with event handlers. In a preferred embodiment, the message engine maintains a lookup table for matching messages with a desired target handler. System or application-specific messages which are not of interest are simply allowed to pass through.

From the message engine, the individual handlers dispatch their respective messages to the script engine. The script engine, in turn, matches an incoming message with reserved words of the script. Appropriate action, based upon use of the reserved word within the script, is then effected.

The present invention also includes a help information continuum for providing on-demand help and tutorial information for screen objects of interest. A computer help system of the present invention includes a computer having a screen device for displaying textual and graphic objects created by a user, a cursor positioning device for indicating a location on the screen device, and information inspector or continuum interface for automatically providing help and tutorial information specific to a particular screen object of interest (i.e., the one being inspected).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a computer system in which the present invention may be embodied.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a software system of the present invention, which includes operating system, application software, and user interface components.

FIG. 1C is a bitmap screenshot illustrating the basic architecture and functionality of a graphical user interface in which the present invention may be embodied.

FIG. 2 is a pair of flowcharts contrasting the operation of conventional modal architecture with that of event-driven architecture.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer-based training (CBT) system of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating a method of the present invention for operating the CBT system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is a flowchart illustrating the operation of hooks, dispatchers, and handlers of the method of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an exemplary event handler of the present invention, which includes the dispatching of event information (EventInfo) objects.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating a method of the present invention for dispatching meta-messages.

FIG. 5C is a class hierarchy diagram illustrating the underlying structure for the EventInfo objects of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a screenshot bitmap illustrating an information continuum interface of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart illustrating a method of the present invention for information inspection, using the information continuum interface of FIG. 6A.

Glossary of Terms

Association Table: A container object used to organize data. Each item in the table has an associated tag to permit easy access.

CBT: Computer-based Training; the use of computers and specially designed tutorial programs for teaching.

CBT Message: A high-level or meta-message describing or encapsulating information about a particular event which has occurred, thereby allowing the user to abstract low level system messages into high level (and more meaningful) messages for script control.

CBT Object: An object, such as a C++ object, which can be placed in a dynamic linked library (DLL) and dynamically loaded when the tutorial is executed.

Control Window: A CBT object which is used for getting information from the user; typically, it includes a window having a number of dialog controls.

Interaction Objects: CBT objects which are used to interact with the user. These objects include Presentation windows, Control windows and message handlers.

Lesson Script: Script statements which control the execution of the CBT tutorial. Each lesson includes a collection of Scenes.

List: A container object which is used to hold unorganized data.

Message Handler: A CBT object which interacts with the target application. These objects are used to handle external events.

Object Property: An attribute or other data associated with a particular object, for example, name, title, color, and the like.

Performance: The execution of a CBT Scene by the CBT system.

Presentation Window: A CBT object which displays information to the user. This information may include text, graphics, and/or multimedia information.

Scene: A script object which describes the actions to perform at a particular point in the CBT lesson.

Script: A collection of statements which are understood by the Script engine.

Windows Hook: A function installed between Windows OS and an application to intercept Windows events before they are received by the application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description will focus on the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is operative in the Microsoft® Windows environment. The present invention, however, is not limited to any particular one application or any particular windows environment. Instead, those skilled in the art will find that the system and methods of the present invention may be advantageously applied to a variety of system and application software, including database management systems, wordprocessors, spreadsheets, and the like. Moreover, the present invention may be embodied on a variety of different platforms, including Macintosh, UNIX, NextStep, and the like. Therefore, the description of the exemplary embodiments which follows is for purposes of illustration and not limitation.

System Hardware

As shown in FIG. 1A, the present invention may be embodied in a computer system such as the system 100, which comprises a central processor 101, a main memory 102, an input/output controller 103, a keyboard 104, a pointing device 105 (e.g., mouse, track ball, pen device, or the like), a display device 106, and a mass storage 107 (e.g., hard disk). Additional input/output devices, such as a printing device 108, may be included in the system 100 as desired. As illustrated, the various components of the system 100 communicate through a system bus 110 or similar architecture. In a preferred embodiment, the computer system 100 includes an IBM-compatible personal computer, which is available from several vendors (including IBM of Armonk, N.Y.).

System Software

A. Overview

Illustrated in FIG. 1B, a computer software system 150 is provided for directing the operation of the computer system 100. Software system 150, which is stored in system memory 102 and on disk memory 107, includes a kernel or operating system (OS) 160 and a windows shell 180. One or more application programs, such as application software 170 or windows application software 190, may be "loaded" (i.e., transferred from storage 107 into memory 102) for execution by the system 100.

System 150 includes a user interface (UI) 165, preferably a graphical user interface (GUI), for receiving user commands and data. These inputs, in turn, may be acted upon by the system 100 in accordance with instructions from operating module 160, Windows 180, and/or application modules 170, 190. The UI 165 also serves to display the results of operation, whereupon the user may supply additional inputs or terminate the session. Although shown conceptually as a separate module, the UI is typically provided by Windows shell 180, operating under OS 160. In a preferred embodiment, OS 160 is MS-DOS and Windows 180 is Microsoft® Windows; both are available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.

System 150 also includes a computer-based training (CBT) system 200 of the present invention for aiding users of the computer 100. As shown, the CBT system 200 interfaces with the system 100 through Windows shell 180, as well as interfacing directly through OS 160. Before undertaking a detailed description of the construction and operation of the CBT system 200 itself, however, it is helpful to first examine the general methodology of UI 165 and the event-driven architecture driving its operation.

B. Graphical User (Windowing) Interface

As shown in FIG. 1C, the system 100 typically presents UI 160 as a windowing interface or workspace 161. Window 161 is a rectangular, graphical user interface (GUI) for display on screen 106; additional windowing elements may be displayed in various sizes and formats (e.g., tiled or cascaded), as desired. At the top of window 161 is a menu bar 170 with a plurality of user-command choices, each of which may invoke additional submenus and software tools for use with application objects. Window 161 includes a client area 180 for displaying and manipulating screen objects, such as graphic object 181 and text object 182. In essence, the client area is a workspace or viewport for the user to interact with data objects which reside within the computer system 100.

Windowing interface 161 includes a screen cursor or pointer 185 for selecting and otherwise invoking screen objects of interest. In response to user movement signals from the pointing device 105, the cursor 185 floats (i.e., freely moves) across the screen 106 to a desired screen location. During or after cursor movement, the user may generate user-event signals (e.g., mouse button "clicks" and "drags") for selecting and manipulating objects, as is known in the art. For example, Window 161 may be closed, resized, or scrolled by "clicking on" (selecting) screen components 172, 174/5, and 177/8, respectively. Keystroke equivalents, including keyboard accelerators or "hot keys", are provided for performing these and other user operations through keyboard 104.

C. Event-Driven Architecture

Underlying the windowing interface is a message or event-driven architecture. This model is perhaps best described by contrasting its operation with that of a modal or sequential architecture which has been traditionally employed. In this manner, the reader may appreciate the added flexibility of a message-driven system--flexibility which is employed by the CBT system of the present invention for providing bi-directional communication not only between the CBT system and a user but between the CBT system and a target application as well.

As shown in FIG. 2, a modal program 200 comprises a series of discrete operating blocks or modes 210, with a well-defined beginning, middle and end. In actual operation, such a program typically displays a series of input screens for receiving user information, for example, to create a written report. For instance, the first entry screen may require a customer name, the second a customer address, the third a part number, and so on. The program typically terminates in an output mode, for reporting results determined from the various inputs. Thus, the program 200 follows a fairly rigid sequence of operation, with each input or entry mode demanding successful completion before the program proceeds to the next step.

While a modal program is relatively easy to design and implement, it is not so easy to use. The design certainly ensures that all required information is entered, but only at the expense of forcing users to operation in a manner dictated by the program. Specifically, since the program is built around a pre-arranged set of modes, a user cannot get from one mode to another without first completing a previously-required mode. In the present example, for instance, a user must needlessly complete a customer name entry screen (and any other intervening input screens) just to access part number information. Any deviation from this sequence by the user is simply not permitted. Lacking flexibility, modal programs make a poor choice for handling real-world tasks.

As shown in the second half of FIG. 2, an event-driven architecture 250 eschews a pre-selected sequence, opting instead for an "event loop." The event loop 260 is a centralized mechanism for processing messages about user and system events. It includes an event queue 270 and mechanisms for retrieving 263 and dispatching 269 messages to various window classes 280. Before each of these components is described in detail, it is helpful to have a firm understanding of "messages."

In a typical modal environment, especially those typified by a character-based UI, a program reads from the keyboard by making an explicit call to a function, such as the C function getchar(). The function typically waits until the user presses a key before returning the character code to the program; all system activity ceases until completion of this one step. In a Windows environment, in contrast, the operating system uses messages to manage and synchronize multiple applications and hardware events, such as clicks of a mouse or presses of a keyboard, which are converted to messages by Windows event handlers.

From a programming perspective, a message is simply a data structure containing information about a particular event. In Microsoft Windows, a message is a 16-bit unsigned integer which serves as a symbolic constant for a particular event; packaged within this integer is a message identifier and message parameters, which vary with each event type represented. For example, messages from a window object might include information about creating (WM₋₋ CREATE), closing (WM₋₋ CLOSE), moving (WM₋₋ MOVE), and resizing (WM₋₋ SIZE) the window. The input messages are collected in a system-wide queue and then directed to the proper window. These messages, along with timer and screen paint messages, must be passed to the target application(s) of interest.

A mechanism is provided for retrieving messages from the system queue and dispatching them to the appropriate application which, in turn, may proceed to process any message that arrives. Each window belongs to a certain window type which defines certain characteristics common to all windows of that type. Associated with each type is a Windows function which processes all messages sent to windows of its type. An application queue is provided where Windows may place messages that belong to a specific application. When the application is ready to receive input, it simply reads the awaiting messages. If none are found or if there exists a message for other applications with higher priority, Windows passes control to the other applications.

The message or event loop 260 shown in FIG. 2, for example, may be simply coded as:

    ______________________________________                                         while      (GetMessage (&msg, NULL, 0, 0))                                                {                                                                              TranslateMessage (&msg) ;                                                      DispatchMessage (&msg) ;                                                       }                                                                   return msg.wParam ;                                                            ______________________________________                                    

where a message (&msg) is retrieved by a call to GetMessage (step 263); if needed, the retrieved message may be translated by a call to TranslateMessage() and then dispatched by a call to DispatchMessage (step 269). This "while" loop continues until the GetMessage function returns a value of zero--indicating that the loop has read a WM₋₋ QUIT message from the queue, telling the application to end (yes at step 265).

In addition to the messages generated by Windows, applications can create their own messages and place them in the application queues of other applications. The SendMessage and PostMessage functions let applications pass messages to their windows or to the windows of other applicatiens. The PostMessage function directs Windows to post the message by placing it in the application queue. Control returns immediately to the calling application, and any action to be carried out as a result of the message does not occur until the message is read from the queue.

The SendMessage function, on the other hand, directs Windows to send a message directly to the given Windows function, thereby bypassing the application queue. Windows does not return control to the calling application until the Windows function that receives the message has processed it. Such an unqueued message, however, is generally a message that affects the window only.

The general mechanism for retrieving and dispatching messages in an event-based system, such as Microsoft Windows, is known in the art; see, e.g., Petzold, C., Programming Windows, Second Edition, Microsoft Press, 1990. Additional information can be found in Microsoft's Window Software Development Kit, including: 1) Guide to Programming, 2) Reference, Vols. 1 and 2, and 3) Tools, all available from Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash. The disclosures of each of the foregoing are hereby incorporated by reference.

Computer-Based Training System

The following description of the CBT system of the present invention will focus on the presently preferred embodiment which includes components implemented in an event-driven architecture with the C++ programming language. In particular, an object-oriented model is adopted whereby new objects may be created from existing objects (classes). The general features of C++, including data encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism, as well as C++ techniques for implementing class hierarchies and class methods are known; see e.g., Ellis, M. and Stroustrup, B., The Annotated C++ Reference Manual, Addison-Wesley, 1990. Additional information about object-oriented programming and C++ in particular can be found in Borland® C++ 3.1: 1) User's Guide, 2) Programmer's Guide, and 3) Library Reference, all available from Borland International of Scotts Valley, Calif. The disclosures of each of the foregoing are hereby incorporated by reference.

A. Overview

Referring now to FIG. 3, a computer-based training system 300 of the present invention includes one or more Application Translation Units (ATUs) 340, a Message Engine 350, and a Script Engine 330. Also shown, the system 300 includes a CBT window object 370 operably coupled to the Script Engine; CBT window object 370, in turn, may be linked to one or more custom Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) 380.

Driven by a set of instructions or script 320, the system 300 monitors various events of the Windows system and desired target applications. Messages from these events, including system messages 310 and target application messages, are trapped by the ATUs 340 and reported to the Message Engine 350 as CBT messages. The Message Engine, in turn, dispatches the messages according to handlers specified by the Script Engine 330, operating under the control of script 320. Messages of interest are processed as desired; others are simply allowed to pass through. The construction and operation of these components will now be described in further detail.

1. Application Translation Units and Their Target Applications

In normal operation of the system 100, a user is using one or more Windows application programs, for example, programs 145 of FIG. 1B, which can be a spreadsheet, wordprocessor, database, or the like. For each application where CBT support is desired, an application-specific ATU 340 is provided for processing events specific to that application (now shown as target application 360 in FIG. 3). Thus, each ATU 340 is a module, preferably implemented as a dynamic link library (DLL), for processing messages for a specific target application.

In addition to the application-specific DLLs, ATUs 340 include a Windows ATU. In contrast to the other ATUs which hook into specific target applications, the Windows ATU processes all Windows events, including system messages 310. In this manner, general system events, that is, ones not specific to any particular application, may be processed by the CBT system 300 as well.

Whether application specific or not, each ATU functions to trap events and convert them into "CBT messages"--a lingua franca or common language for all events, whether Windows or application-specific, occurring within the system. More particularly, a CBT message is a meta-message, that is, a high-level message describing one or more events which have occurred. For instance, instead of monitoring numerous, low-level system messages, such as WM₋₋ RBUTTONDOWN, WM₋₋ LBUTTONDOWN, WM₋₋ RBUTTONUP, WM₋₋ LBUTTONUP, and the like, the user/script writer need only monitor a single message CBT₋₋ MOUSECLICK; the task of determining what the Windows system or application is doing is left to the ATUs. By abstracting low-level system messages into highlevel (and more meaningful) CBT messages, the system of the present invention greatly simplifies script design and writing.

A CBT message, which is stored internally as an integer, represents a particular type of event. Information or data particular to each event, such as active window, cursor location, and the like, on the other hand, are packaged as a discreet data object (EventInfo object) fully describing the event. EventInfo objects, along with CBT messages, are dispatched from the ATU to the Message Engine 350 for further processing.

2. Message Engine and Script

The Message Engine 350 determines which of the many CBT messages it receives is of particular interest to the CBT system, as it operates under the direction of a script 320. At startup, each target application of interest to the script 320 is registered with the Message Engine. The script 320, which itself includes a collection of objects, may be compiled, pre-compiled, pseudocompiled, or the like, as desired for a particular platform. In a preferred embodiment, script 320 is pre-tokenized, whereby source listings and comments (optionally) are stored in a compact form which may be reconstructed into the original source. Thus, script 320 need only be a set of instructions; no particular format is required by the present invention.

For each application registered, the Message Engine maintains one or more "handlers" or modules for processing events specific to that application (as represented by the CBT messages). Thus, the Message Engine manages a list of target handlers for determining which CBT messages are of interest to the script 320, that is, which messages map into the list.

Messages which are of interest to the system, i.e., those specified by the script 320, are trapped and forwarded to a designated handler. Those messages which are not of interest are allowed to "fall through" (i.e., be passed on to) the individual target applications 360. In essence, the Message Engine filters the events for a particular application so that only those of interest, that is, those having a handler defined for the event, are processed.

B. System operation

1. Method: CBT Session

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-B, the general method of operation for the system 300 is illustrated by a flowchart 400. While the general methodology remains the same from one CBT session to another, the reader should understand that the specific steps of any one CBT session are dictated by instructions and script objects defined in the script 320. For instance, the script 320 states which specific target applications will be registered with the Message Engine and which events of those applications will be dispatched. Thus, the following description illustrates the basic framework in which the CBT system operates.

Under the direction of the script 320, at step 410 the CBT system registers a target application of interest by creating a CBTApplication object. Serving as the main entry point for the CBT system, this object initializes and executes the script tutorial. Moreover, the object initiates sessions with the Message Engine and Script Engine and acts as a centralized dispatch point for all external functions and object method calls within each CBT lesson. From here individual CBT lessons are loaded and performed.

When a lesson script is loaded the CBTApplication object creates a CBTLesson object which is responsible for managing that particular lesson. The CBTLesson object reads the lesson script and builds a deck of CBTScene objects, with each corresponding to a scene described in the lesson script. Alternatively, each scene may be constructed on-the-fly, particularly in high-performance environments. The CBTLesson object resembles a state machine; it maintains the active scene (active state) and sends appropriate script scenes (CBTScene objects) to the Script Engine 330 for presentation. Each object is directly accessible to the script writer through script variables; for example, the CBTApplication object is accessed through a theCBTApp global variable, the CBTLesson object through a theCBTLesson global variable.

To complete the initialization of step 410, the target application is registered with the Message Engine 350. In particular, hooks are installed by a corresponding ATU 340 so that events within the target application of interest are trapped. As set forth below, these events will, in turn, be reported to the Message Engine 350 as CBT messages.

At step 420, script-specified links are established to individual resources of interest. Within the target application itself, various resources (e.g., buttons, menus, and the like) may be of interest to the script writer. For example, if one were interested in a particular button of the target application, such as a "help" button, that button may be registered with the Message Engine 350. Events associated with that button (e.g., "mouse enter" the button) are then trapped for processing by an ATU.

The links are specified within the CBT script 320 as follows. In a preferred embodiment, a link is established to an individual resource or control by indicating a selected one of its Windows class name, Window title, or Resource ID, all of which are readily accessible Windows data structures. Commonly, a link will be established by using the Resource ID. Particular links may be created or removed during a session, as desired.

At step 430, the system traps various events which are relevant to the established links. This operation, shown in further detail in FIG. 4B, occurs as follows. Every time that a message arrives at the message queue of a target application, a message filter hook function (WH₋₋ MsgFilter) 431 is called. First, the hook function determines if the message represents a task which has been "hooked, " that is a specific link for this event of the target application has been created. If not, the event is passed down the hook chain for processing by one of the other hooks (i.e., hooks 433, 435, 437). The Windows hook 437, for example, traps all window messages (WM₋₋). In this fashion, which hook function is invoked depends on what type of message comes into the target application. By way of illustration, hooks may be installed as follows:

    __________________________________________________________________________     BOOL installHooks(CbtEntry *pEntry)                                            if( ! pEntry                                                                   return FALSE;                                                                  // Note that the fourth parameter below may receive a task handle of           // a target application, whereupon the hook is installed in that               // application. When receiving a NULL parameter, the hook installs             // to applications.                                                            // CBT hook -- allow CBT system to stop events from progressing                hCBTHook =                                                                       SetWindowsHookEx(WH.sub.-- CBT, (HOOKPROC)cbtFilter, hInstance, NULL);       // Msg filter hook -- dialog boxes and menus                                   hMsgHook =                                                                       SetWindowsHookEx(WH.sub.-- MSGFILTER, (HOOKPROC)msgFilter,                            hInstance, NULL);                                                     // Get msg hook                                                                hGetMsgHook =                                                                    SetWindowsHookEx(WH.sub.-- GETMESSAGE, (HOOKPROC)getmsgFilter,                        hInstance, NULL);                                                     // Windows hook                                                                hCallWndProcHook =                                                               SetWindowsHookEx(WH.sub.-- CALLWNDPROC, (HOOKPROC)callWndProcFilter,                  hInstance,NULL);                                                      return( hCBTHook                                                                              && hMsgHook &&                                                     hCallWndProcHook                                                                           && hGetMsgHook );                                               }                                                                              __________________________________________________________________________

As shown, a callback function is installed for each hook; each callback function, in turn, serves as an entry point into an ATU. Additional information on the installation and use of hooks in Microsoft Windows can be found in the Microsoft's Window Software Development Kit referenced above.

In addition to installing hooks to trap system messages, one or more application-specific hooks (callback functions) 439 are installed as well. For instance, a target application may be a spreadsheet which includes its own internal set of messages, for example, SS₋₋ CELLSELECT, SS₋₋ CELLEDIT, SS₋₋ BLOCKDEFINE, and the like. To monitor these messages, an ATU may register an application-specific callback function with the target application, in effect dynamically binding the ATU to its target application. At runtime, the application invokes the callback function for dispatching internal or application-specific messages. Thus, the CBT system of the present invention is not limited to Windows events and their messages; instead, the CBT system may receive and translate any messages of interest, whether system wide or strictly internal.

At step 440, events which are trapped by the Application Translation Units 340 are "dispatched" to the Message Engine 350 as CBT message/event information objects. As shown in particular detail in FIG. 4B, the dispatch module of each ATU includes a function corresponding to each Windows event. Thus, for the WM₋₋ COMMAND, WM₋₋ MENUSELECT, WM₋₋ BUTTONDOWN, and WM₋₋ SETCURSOR messages, the following translate functions may be defined:

    ______________________________________                                         int doWM.sub.-- Command                                                                        (CbtEntry *pEntry, MSG *msg);                                  int doWM.sub.-- MenuSelect                                                                     (CbtEntry *pEntry, MSG *msg);                                  int doWM.sub.-- ButtonDown                                                                     (CbtEntry *pEntry, MSG *msg);                                  int doWM.sub.-- SetCursor                                                                      (CbtEntry *pEntry, MSG *msg);                                  ______________________________________                                    

each designed for processing its particular event.

The operation of an ATU dispatcher will be demonstrated by the processing of Windows messages for determining if the cursor has traversed a window boundary (i.e., entered a new window); this example illustrates how a multitude of Windows WM₋₋ SETCURSOR messages can be converted into MOUSELEAVE and MOUSEENTER meta-messages. The dispatching of other events as CBT messages is set forth hereinbelow as Appendix A.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a doWM₋₋ SetCursor dispatch method 500 is invoked whenever a SetCursor message is trapped by the ATU (i.e., captured by a hook function before the event has been received by the application). Here, the script writer is not interested in the screen cursor simply entering an already active window; thus, the method simply "allows" the Windows message to be passed to the target application at step 501 and returns. Specifically, since the screen cursor is entering a window which is already active, no particular CBT-generated messages or other intervention are desired by the script writer at this point; hence, the WM₋₋ SETCURSOR message is allowed to pass through.

Continuing the example, the script writer may specify that the event of a cursor leaving an active window is of interest and should be trapped. Since the cursor is not simply re-entering the active window (no at step 501), the window which the cursor is leaving should be notified of the event. The CBT system notifies the Message Engine of this action as follows. First, at step 502, the information pertaining to the window where the event occurred is encapsulated into a C++ object (which is derived from an EventInfo class hierarchy, described in further detail hereinbelow). At step 503, the information object and a "MouseLeave" message are dispatched to the previous (departing from) window, with the message being denoted as a "NOTIFY" message.

In a preferred embodiment, two different classes of messages are provided: CBT₋₋ NOTIFY and CBT₋₋ CONFIRM. Those messages which are purely informational, such as mouse movements, are CBT₋₋ NOTIFY messages. Those which can be stopped before they reach the target application, on the other hand, are called CBT₋₋ CONFIRM messages. Each is registered with Windows as an application-specific Windows event. Using two methods defined within EventInfo objects, the script 320 can allow or prevent a CBT₋₋ CONFIRM type message from reaching the target application. Specifically, a stopMessage method is invoked which determines (based on script instructions) whether to allow the message to pass through to the target application.

After step 503, the method proceeds to alert the Message Engine that the cursor is entering a new window. In a manner similar to sending the "MouseLeave" message, the method first builds an EventInfo object at step 504. Next, a "MouseEnter" message of type CBT₋₋ NOTIFY is dispatched to the application, along with the information for the event (EventInfo object), at step 505. At step 506, an active window flag is set; this is the flag that is read in step 501 to determine if the mouse cursor is entering the active window. Finally, the method concludes by passing the message on to the application (i.e., "allow" message) at step 507. At the conclusion of the method, memory for the EventInfo objects may be recovered (e.g., using manual or automatic garbage collection techniques).

For purposes of illustration, one may implement such a method in the C++ programming language as follows:

    __________________________________________________________________________     int doWN.sub.-- SetCursor(CbtEntry *pEntry, MSG *msg)                          EventInfo *pObject = (EventInfo *)NULL; // init EventInfo                      if( pEntry->hActiveWnd == (HWND)(msg->wParam) )                                                              // steps 510/507                                 return MSG.sub.-- ALLOW;                                                       pObject = new WindowInfo( pEntry->hActiveWnd );                                                              // step 502                                      DispatchToCbt (pEntry, CBT.sub.-- NOTIFY,                                           TM.sub.-- MOUSELEAVE, (LPARAM)pObject);                                                                 // step 503                                      pObject = new WindowInfo( (HWND)(msg->wParam) );                                                             // step 504                                      DispatchToCbt(pEntry, CBT.sub.-- NOTIFY,                                            TM.sub.-- MOUSEENTER, (LPARAM)pObject);                                                                 // step 505                                      pEntry->hActiveWnd = (HWND)(msg->wParam);                                                                    // step 506                                      return MSG.sub.-- ALLOW;      // step 507                                      // garbage collection performed by the system                                  }                                                                              __________________________________________________________________________

Here, pEntry is a pointer to a record, CbtEntry, which is updated. The record includes handles to the hooked task (application that has been hooked) and the currently active window:

    ______________________________________                                         typedef struct  .sub.-- CbtEntry {                                                    HTASK  hHookedTask;                                                            HWND   hActiveWnd;                                                      } CbtEntry;    // pEntry points to this                                        ______________________________________                                    

As shown, a meta-message may maintain its own data structures for tracking events at a higher level (e.g., the status of the active window).

The DispatchToCbt function, on the other hand, is conveniently viewed as two halves of a process. Specifically, the Message Engine registers a callback function with the ATU. The operation proceeds as follows. On the ATU side, the ATU passes to the DispatchCBTMessage method a task handle for identifying a particular application; since the system processes multiple applications, this mechanism serves to distinguish between different applications (and their instances):

    __________________________________________________________________________     void DispatchToCbt(HTASK hHookedTask, UINT Msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM          lParam)                                                                        if( pCbtDispatchFunc )                                                          (pCbtDispatchFunc)(hHookedTask, Msg, wParam, lParam);                         }                                                                              __________________________________________________________________________

In this manner, an ATU filters or groups events by target application and communicates its events as meta-messages to other CBT components. At the completion of step 440 of FIG. 4A, the ATU has dispatched the CBT message, its type, and the EventInfo object to the Message Engine 350, thereby fully communicating an event which it has trapped.

Not all events are of interest, however. Thus, the events should be filtered so that only those of interest are acted upon. At step 450, the Message Engine performs this task by comparing the CBT message against known event handlers. In other words, the engine attempts to dispatch CBT messages of interest--ones having a handler define for the event. Thus on the Message Engine side, the Message Engine determines which entry in its table corresponds to that task:

    __________________________________________________________________________     void CALLBACK MessageEngine::DispatchCBTMessage(HTASK hTarget,                            UINT cbtmsg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)                          CbtSession *pSession = GetSessionFromTask(hTarget);                            if( pSession )                                                                 SendMessage(pSession->hMsgPane, CbtMessages[cbtmsg],                           wParam, lParam);                                                               // Notify application handler                                                  // where pSession is the current application session                           // (determined from hTarget);                                                  // CbtMessages[cbtmsg] is the table lookup for the                             // CBT message ("confirm" or "notify";                                         // wParam is the CBT message type (TM.sub.--  msg); and                        // lParam is a pointer to the EventInfo object.                                }                                                                              __________________________________________________________________________

With particular reference to FIG. 4B, this process is illustrated. Message Engine filters CBT messages through a plurality of message handlers, including, for example, a TargetApplication handler 451, a TargetWindow handler 453, a Custom handler 455, and a Default handler 457; other exemplary handlers are set forth hereinbelow as Appendix B. CBT messages of interest will be passed to a particular handler. As shown in Appendix B, each message belongs to a particular Message Handler Class and is either informational (CBT₋₋ NOTIFY) or preventable (CBT₋₋ CONFIRM). A "mouseEnter" message, for example, belongs to a TargetWindow Handler Class; the message is therefore processed by the TargetWindow handler 453. An application specific event, such as an SS₋₋ EDITCELL message from a spreadsheet target application, on the other hand, would typically be passed to the TargetApplication handler 451. Finally, messages without a handler, that is, those which the script writer has no particular interest, may be passed to a default handler (e.g., for ignoring, discarding, or otherwise invoking a desired default action); thus, the script writer need only enumerate handler methods for messages of interest.

If matched with a handler, the message is then dispatched. Specifically, the handler extracts properties for the message and the accompanying EventInfo object. For a message of TargetWindow handler class, for instance, available object properties include:

1) Name: Title string of the control;

2) Class: Windows class of the control;

3) ID: Resource ID of the control;

4) Style: Style flags of the control;

5) Enable: Whether the control is enabled;

6) Position: Coordinates of the control; and

7) EventInfo: Current EventInfo object, if any.

Additional exemplary properties which are available for various messages handler classes are set forth hereinbelow as Appendix C.

As an alternative to defining several event handlers, a more preferred embodiment provides only two basic event handlers: an Application Link handler and a Window Link handler. Each is an object having various handler methods for appropriately responding to each message passed. Based on the lookup performed by the Message Engine (i.e., NOTIFY or CONFIRM), an Application Link handler may, for example, effect the dispatching as follows:

    __________________________________________________________________________     RESULT CALLBACK ApplicationLink::wndProc(HWND hwnd, UINT Message,                                WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)                                // First, get handler (from link registered)                                   ApplicationLink *pWindow = (ApplicationLink *)GetWindowLong(hWnd, 0);          if( pWindow )                                                                  {                                                                              if( Message == CBT.sub.-- notify // Msg is a NOTIFY msg                        {                                                                              EventInfo *pInfo = (EventInfo *)lParam;                                        // Recall that Event info includes one or more of a win class,                 // name, and resource ID. If exact information is not provided                 // (e.g., just "OK" button), do "fuzzy" match (i.e., match as                  // much as possible:                                                           pWindow->doDispatchNotify(wParam, pInfo);                                      pInfo->Finished( );                                                            return TRUE;                                                                   }                                                                              else if( Message == CBT.sub.-- confirm ) // Mag is a CONFIRM msg               {                                                                              EventInfo *pInfo = (EventInfo *)lParam; // Event info                          pWindow->doDispatchConfirm(wParam, pInfo);                                     pInfo->Finished( );                                                            return TRUE;                                                                   }                                                                              }                                                                              // on return, call WinProc instantiated w/ applic. link                        return DefWindowProc(hWnd, Message, wParam, lParam);                           }                                                                              __________________________________________________________________________

Here, the doDispatch- methods communicate directly with the Script Engine. In turn, the Script Engine responds according to script objects defined within the active script. By invoking the stopMessage method for specifying whether an event is allowed, for example, events may be stopped from reaching a target application; in most instances, however, the script writer will simply specify the default--that the event should simply pass on through to the target application.

The scriptwriter may provide methods for handling the various events of interest, or he or she may rely on default methods which are defined by the CBT system. In operation, a CBT message is passed to the objects. Each object, in turn, is responsible (through its method definitions) for knowing which messages are of interest, and how each one of interest should be processed. In a target application, for example, if the script writer hooks a window link up to a list box of the application, he or she should provide methods for handling the event (as communicated by CBT messages) of that list box.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, the overall method of dispatching messages is summarized. In a doDISPATCH method 520 of the present invention, a CBT message arrives at the message engine and is processed as follows. First, in step 521, an attempt is made to match the message to an application link handler. If the attempt is unsuccessful (no at step 522), then the message is simply allowed to "fall through" (i.e., left unprocessed, or processed by a default handler). Otherwise (yes at step 522), at step 523 the message engine forwards the CBT message (with EventInfo object) to the identified application link handler.

At step 524, the application link handler examines the EventInfo object and attempts to match it with a registered window link. If this step is unsuccessful (no at step 525), then a default handler will be assigned for processing the event at step 526. At step 527, the message is forwarded to the window link handler. The window link handler, in turn, dispatches the message to the script engine at step 528. At this point, the script engine identifies the event by mapping the message into its set of known reserved words. At step 529, the script engine processes the message according to the instructions of the script (i.e., effects the action desired by the script writer, as indicated by the use of the matching reserve word). Upon completion of this step, the method has successfully dispatched the meta-message, with appropriate actions being effected in response to that message.

2. Building CBT Lessons

As a tutorial is designed, the CBT script writer creates a "storyboard" showing the visual appearance as well as the flow of the tutorial. The storyboard becomes the basis for the CBT lesson script.

CBT scripts are written in a simple language which contains both message handling and object-oriented features. Each lesson script is organized as a collection of scenes, with each scene describing the actions that take place at a particular point in the lesson. For example, a scene might instruct the CBT system to display a window containing some text when a particular menu item is chosen in the target application. As the lesson script proceeds, new scenes can be performed. This process continues until the user chooses to exit the CBT or the lesson is finished.

To control the target application, the CBT system intercepts all Windows events for the application and translates them into CBT messages. These messages will trigger any corresponding message handlers which are defined within a scene. When a message handler is triggered, its script is executed.

Within each scene, message handlers are defined for each UI control in the application which is of interest. For example, to respond to a button click within the script the following handler is defined:

    ______________________________________                                         script for Scene1                                                                     TargetButton theButton(120)                                                    on theButton.buttonClick                                                         theCBTLesson.perform("Scene2")                                               end                                                                     end                                                                            ______________________________________                                    

This hypothetical scene creates a TargetButton object which is linked to the UI control in the target application; the UI control Resource ID is 120. Next, a Message Handler is defined for the buttonClick message from the TargetButton object. When this message is received, the Script Engine performs a new scene, Scene2. Thus, the statement:

    ______________________________________                                                theCBTLesson.perform("Scene2")                                          ______________________________________                                    

calls the perform method of the global object "theCBTLesson" (the CBT Lesson object).

In addition to controlling user actions, the CBT lesson also drives the target application autonomously by sending appropriate messages. Alternatively a sequence of events can be recorded (e.g., using a tool similar to MS-Recorder) for later replay.

The script may also query the target application for its current properties. If a window link is established to a button, for instance, the script may query the button for its properties, such as its size, its title, and the like. One should note that the ability to query for properties operates independently of the processing of events and their messages. As another example, a target application could be asked to enumerate all the buttons of a dialog box. The script may, in turn, act on the queried information, including modifying selected resources. In this fashion, the resources of a target application may be dynamically varied, thereby providing the target application with an alternative user interface--one having UI components which may be altered on the fly.

Appended herewith as Appendix D is a source listing illustrating an exemplary script syntax and methodology for operating the CBT system of the present invention. Additional reference materials illustrating a preferred script syntax are appended herewith as Appendix E.

3. Multiple-application Lessons

As shown by FIG. 3, the system of the present invention is operative with one or more applications 360. More particularly, according to the present invention, a single script 320 may be employed to not only control multiple applications concurrently, but also control interaction between multiple applications. A script may be provided for tutoring the user in the operation of cutting and pasting between applications, for instance, cutting text from a word processor and pasting it into a database application. Thus, the CBT system 130 is not application bound; instead, it is a complete subsystem--one which may control multiple applications, including interactions between applications and/or the operating system, even launching additional applications as needed.

4. Event Information (EventInfo) Objects

An EventInfo object, which stores information about a particular event, is instantiated from an EventInfo class 550. FIG. 5C illustrates the EventInfo inheritance tree and lists the properties for each class. As shown, the EventInfo class hierarchy 550 includes nine derived EventInfo classes which contain the state information about the various standard CBT messages. At the root of the hierarchy is the EventInfo base class 551. In a preferred embodiment, this class may be constructed with the following C++ class definition:

    ______________________________________                                         class SHARED.sub.-- CLASS EventInfo :                                                              public CbtObject,                                                              public pEventInfo {                                        public:                                                                        ATOMTABLES(Keyword, 7)                                                         protected:                                                                     HWND     hwndTarget;                                                           BOOL     bAllowMsg;                                                            BOOL     bIsProcessing;                                                        public:                                                                                         EventInfo(HWND hwnd);                                         virtual          ˜EventInfo( );                                          virtual                                                                              int        Supports(hProtocol &Hdl) const;                               inline                                                                               HWND       WindowHandle( )                                                                             const;                                           virtual                                                                              const char *                                                                              WindowName( )                                                                               const = 0;                                       virtual                                                                              const char *                                                                              WindowClass( )                                                                              const = 0;                                       virtual                                                                              int        WindowId( )  const = 0;                                       virtual                                                                              LONG       WindowStyle( )                                                                              const = 0;                                       virtual                                                                              BOOL       AllowMessage(BOOL bFlag, BOOL                                                  bState);                                                      virtual                                                                              BOOL       ProcessingMsg( ) const;                                       virtual                                                                              void       Finished( );                                                  inline                                                                               void *     operator new(unsigned size);                                  inline                                                                               void       operator delete(void *p);                                     ATOMMETHODS(Keyword)                                                           CLASSMETHODS(EventInfo, "EVENTINFO")                                           };                                                                             ______________________________________                                    

As shown, the EventInfo class 551 provides access to the Windows name and its class, its resource ID, its Windows style, and whether the message is allowed (according to the script 320).

Derived from EventInfo class 551 is WindowInfo class 552, a pure virtual base class for other EventInfo classes. The subclass affords the same four pieces of information which were provided by the base class 551. In addition, for a given window handle, the object will extract a window name, class, ID, and style. The class may be constructed with the following C++ class definition:

    ______________________________________                                         class SHARED.sub.-- CLASS WindowInfo : public EventInfo {                      protected:                                                                     int     iWindowId;                                                             LONG    lWindowStyle;                                                          char *  strWindowName;                                                         char *  strWindowClass;                                                        public:                                                                                           WindowInfo(HWND hWnd);                                      virtual            ˜WindowInfo( );                                       virtual int        Supports(hProtocol &Hd1) const;                             virtual const char *                                                                              WindowName( )                                                                               const;                                         virtual const char *                                                                              WindowClass( )                                                                              const;                                         virtual int        WindowId( )  const;                                         virtual LONG       WindowStyle( )                                                                              const;                                         CLASSMETHODS(WindowInfo, "WINDOWINFO")                                         };                                                                             ______________________________________                                    

In addition to the windowing information, other events are also of interest, particularly mouse and keyboard events. These other events are accessible through subclasses of WindowInfo class 552. Specifically, the WindowInfo class spawns five subclasses: WinHelpInfo class 561, WinPositionInfo class 563, WinShowInfo class 565, WinSelectInfo class 567, and KeyboardInfo class 569. As shown, objects may be instantiated from these subclasses for accessing help text, window position, menu information, keyboard events, and the like. WinHelpInfo, for instance, contains the text which was sent by the WinHelp engine to the CBT. This text can be a sequence of script statements which are executed or simply a string of text. WinPosition provides the coordinates of the window. WinShowInfo contains the SWP₋₋ flags corresponding to the Windows ShowWindow() function. WinSelectInfo contains the name of the selected menu or control window item. KeyboardInfo contains the key that was pressed as well as any flags indicating if the <ALT>, <SHIFT>, or <CTRL> keys were also pressed.

Two classes, WinPositionInfo class 563 and WinSelectInfo class 567, spawn additional subclasses. As shown, MouseInfo class 571, which is derived from WinPositionInfo class 563, provides direct access to mouse events; it contains the mouse button that was clicked and whether it was a single or double click as well as the position of the mouse. WinSelectInfo class 567, on the other hand, spawns MenuInfo class 573 and ListInfo class 575. The former provides access to menu IDs and menu flags, the flags indicating whether the menu item is grayed, highlighted, or the like; the latter provides the index of the selected item, which is important if the list does not contain text.

5. Information Continuum

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-B, an improved interface and method of the present invention for providing help and tutorials are illustrated. As shown in FIG. 6A, the monitor device 106 displays the GUI window 165; contained within window 165 are various screen objects, many of which the user may know nothing about. For instance, window 165 includes a "toolbar" 618 which, in turn, includes a plurality of screen buttons.

As described above in FIG. 3, CBT system 300 includes one or more CBT window objects (e.g., window object 370 of FIG. 3), which are CBT UI components that may be simultaneously displayed with a target application's interface. Thus, while the CBT system preserves the interface of the target application(s), the script writer may also extend the interface with his or her own UI components. Moreover, these components are fully extensible as one may dynamically link one's own libraries to the system using known DLL technique (for additional description of DLL techniques, see the above-referenced Microsoft Windows SDK).

In a preferred embodiment, an information continuum window object or interface 600 is provided when the screen cursor 185 is in proximity to a screen object of interest in a target application. This action may be triggered automatically, such as when the cursor approaches a minimum distance from the screen object of interest. Alternatively, interface 600 may appear in response to a user event; in a preferred embodiment, the information continuum interface is triggered in response to a <Shift> right mouse button click action. Upon invocation, interface 600 provides help information inspection for the object of interest (i.e., the screen object closest to the cursor 185).

Interface 600 itself is a window object including various help components. Specifically, interface 600 includes a title 601, multimedia objects 603, description field 605, tutorial object 607, and help object 609. Each of these will be explained in turn. Title 601 is a short text string describing what help information is currently being inspected (e.g., "footnote help"). Description field 605 provides textual and/or graphic help information for assisting the user in understanding the current screen object whose help information is desired. Multimedia object 603, on the other hand, includes any multimedia data desired for the screen object. Multimedia object 603, for example, may play a short film clip illustrating how the current screen object is used.

Interface 600 also includes links to tutorial and help modules. Specifically, tutorial component 607 may be triggered by the user (e.g., by a mouse click) for launching a full tutorial on the current screen object of interest. Upon invocation of the help component 609, on the other hand, the interface 600 displays help links which are relevant to the current object being inspected. In this manner, the user may rapidly traverse an information hierarchy which is relevant to the current object. All told, the interface 600 provides an information continuum for immediate and automatic access to all help and tutorial information which is of current interest to the user.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, an information inspection method 620 in accordance with the present invention will be described. In step 621, an event loop is established to await a trigger for help. In a preferred embodiment of the method, a user event serves as a trigger. Alternatively, the step may be triggered automatically, for example, in response to movements of the cursor towards an object of interest. At step 622, the screen object of interest (typically, that which is closest to the cursor 185 of FIG. 6A) is identified using known technique (e.g., within preset hit radius of cursor 185). At step 623, the method displays an information continuum box, which may either be modal or non-modal (as desired by the system designer). At step 624 the user may traverse other components of the help continuum or hierarchy. Using a pointing device (device 105 of FIG. 1A), for example, the user may invoke the multimedia object at step 625, a tutorial at step 626, and/or additional help information at step 627. Upon exiting the information continuum dialog, the method may conclude or reenter the event loop of step 621.

While the invention is described in some detail with specific reference to a single preferred embodiment and certain alternatives, there is no intent to limit the invention to that particular embodiment or those specific alternatives. For example, the foregoing description of the EventInfo class hierarchy 550 has focused on the Microsoft Windows environment; those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the individual classes may be adapted for other platforms, including, for example, OS/2, NeXTStep, X-Windows, and the like.

Moreover, the class hierarchy, through the use of virtually-defined methods, includes extensibility for accommodating specific application environments. Classes may be defined for a spreadsheet which handle, for example, specific spreadsheet events. From the broad class of spreadsheet events, subtypes may be derived for processing specific types of user activities. For example, a class may be defined for processing spreadsheet "cell" events which would include such activities as editing a cell, formatting a cell, deleting a cell, and the like. Thus, the true scope of the present invention is not limited to any one of the foregoing exemplary embodiments but is instead defined by the following claims. ##SPC1## 

What is claimed is:
 1. In a computer system having a screen device and an input device, an improved method for aiding a user in operation of the system, the method comprising:(a) displaying a cursor for indicating a location on the screen device, said cursor responsive to signals from the input device; (b) displaying on the screen device at least one screen object created by the user; and (c) if said cursor is within a preselected distance of said at least one object, displaying on the screen device a help dialog means specific for said at least one screen object, said help dialog means including at least one user interface component for receiving user input.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:(d) repositioning the cursor to a new location; and (e) if said screen cursor is not within a preselected distance of said at least one screen object, then removing the help dialog means.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein before step (c) further comprises:signaling with the input device a request for information for said at least one screen object.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) includes:determining a single screen object from said at least one screen object which is closest to the cursor; and displaying information specific for the closest screen object.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein after step (c) further comprises:selecting one of the dialog components with the input device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said dialog components includes selected ones of a tutorial means, a help information means, and a multimedia means.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein selection of said at least one user interface component invokes a tutorial for the screen object.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein selection of said at least one user interface component displays a help information means for said at least one screen object.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said help information means includes a full-text, on-line help system.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one user interface component is a screen resource for displaying multimedia information relevant to said at least one screen object.
 11. A computer help system comprising:(a) a computer having a screen device; (b) an input device for positioning a cursor at a desired location on the screen device; (b) means for displaying on the screen at least one object created by a user; and (c) means for displaying on the screen a dialog means specific for said at least one screen object if said cursor is within a preselected distance of said at least one screen object, said dialog means including components responsive to signals from said input device.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for displaying dialog means includes trigger means for automatically displaying said dialog means whenever the cursor is positioned within the preselected distance of said at least one screen object.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for displaying dialog means includes trigger means for displaying said dialog means only when the cursor is positioned within the preselected distance of said at least one screen object and a request for information is received from the user.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein said request for information includes at least one signal generated by said cursor positioning device.
 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a keyboard device, wherein said input device is a two-button mouse device, and wherein said request for information comprises signals from both the keyboard device and the mouse device.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein said request for information includes a right-mouse button down signal generated by the mouse device and a shift key signal generated by the keyboard device.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein said at least one object is selected from a textual object and a graphic object. 